UPDATE: Steve G4GXL’s 10 minute YouTube video of Wayne N6KR’s quick overview of the new KX3 is available from http://qrparci.org. Also there are early photos on Twitpic here - courtesy of Jeff Davis KE9V including this one:
One of the earliest - and clearest - photos of the new KX3 taken at the Elecraft stand in Dayton by Jeff Davis KE9V
Under the tantalising subject line “Something *really* new at Dayton from Elecraft” and while en route to Dayton – Elecraft’s Wayne Burdick N6KR announced to the Elecraft email lists a very interesting new offering to be launched there – the KX3 and a companion 100W amp, the KXPA100.
According to Wayne, the KX3 handles all modes, SSB/CW/AM/FM/DATA (the latter including built-in PSK31 and RTTY encode/decode/display).
He promised to post full details and photos later this weekend. But that was too intriguing for the list. This is an edited and probably repetitive summary of what they managed to find out about the new set.
KX3: Ultra-compact K3/KX1 hybrid, 160-6 m, 10/100 W, all-mode, 32-bit DSP/SDR, 1.5 lbs.
Ultraportable:
- 1.5 lbs (680g)
- 1.7″ x 3.5″ x 7.4″ (4.3cm x 8.9cm x 18.8cm)
- extended KX1 form-factor (KX1 - 1.2 x 3 x 5.3″ (3 x 7.5 x 13 cm) KX1 base weight 9oz / 255g)
- internal battery pack & charger
- internal wide-range ATU
- new adjustable, attached keyer paddle
…and a K3-like front panel, including the same LCD.
RX-mode current drain ~150 mA. Very efficient on TX, with dual-output-impedance 5W/10W PA.
The optional 100W amp is in an external chassis. The internal amplifier is 10W with switchable impedance matching so it can also operate with maximum efficiency at 5W.
PA output impedance switch allows efficient 5-W use from internal batteries, or 10 W from external supply.
KXPA100 - 100 W+ with new high-performance external amp/ATU that works with most 5W to 10W rigs.
>Same flat layout as the KX-1 – just bigger box I would assume????
Yes, but with new fold-up rear tilt-feet.
>…and a K3-like front panel, including the same LCD.
>
> And it makes use of EVERY display on that LCD?? Carumba!Not quite. I think there are a couple annunciators that are not used. But it’s amazing that the design team managed to fit almost all the features of a 10W K3 into a box that is a small fraction of the size and weight. And with space left over for an internal battery pack!
By the time we’re done, we’ll be using every icon.
Totally different architecture than the K3, of course. (Wayne N6KR)
RX-mode current drain ~150 mA. Very efficient on TX, with dual-output-impedance 5W/10W PA.
> More $$$ or less $$$ that the regular K3?
Much less.
> Dual output impedance 5w/10w pa? I don’t understand.
The MOSFET 10-W amp stage includes an output transformer with both 1:4 and 1:1 windings. When using low power, or when running from internal batteries, the 1:1 winding is used, which optimizes efficiency at about 5 W, greatly reducing transmit current drain. The 1:4 winding is used when running higher power (using an external supply).
> One email said 10w/100w models. Is that correct?
The 1.5-pound radio itself puts out 10 watts+. We’ll also be describing a new, high-performance 100-watt+ companion amplifier/ATU for fixed-station/mobile use. It will work very well with other 5 to 10-W radios besides the KX3.
From follow-up discussion etc it appears as if the base price of the KX3 will be US$799. Availability towards end of 2011. See video for a pretty comprehensive outline of features. Options for the KX3 include roofing filters, internal battery pack and ATU similar to one of K3. Truly an exciting trail friendly radio!
I’ve created a page where I’ll pull together all the available information there is about this ultimate trail friendly radio.
They’re pulling your leg!
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I did not find ATU within KX3, but as an option to 100W unit.
This rig takes T1 as external ATU, if needed?
I still regard KX1 as ultimate back-pack rig, but this new
beast sounds extremely attractive.
Careful now, we might be spoiled!
Benny OH9NB
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Correction!
Built-in ATU is an option.
Battery compartment and charger is an option.
IQ output is included for possible external sound-card.
The price will be between KX1(300 US$) and K3(1500 US$) with
a hint “much less than K3″.
Love the KX1 for /p operation and the K3 for shack…this would be a great addtion to the line and add a lot more functionality when /p.
Heat up your credit cards, Gentlemen!
Exciting news for old KX-1 veterans. Will this be a kit?
Looks fantastic. Anyone know when it will be available?
Also, is the receiver general coverage?
Thanks…Can’t wait for this one!
I built a K2 several years ago. It’s still a top class rig. This KX3 sounds nice. I hope the £/$ exchange rate goes a bit more in my favour before I buy one HI
73 Albert
I think if this is a kit, it will be a modular kit like the K3.
In order to pack all the features in the small package of the KX3, SMD components will be the norm.
It’s an Elecraft, I want one. Goodbye Ft 817.
KC8HMJ
Talked to the Elecraft staff at Dayton. Unit will not be available until end of 2011 and will probably come out at around $800.00 according to them. Picked up a provisional spec sheet which looked impressive. I had gone to Dayton prepared to buy a KX1 but decided to wait for the KX3. They’re supposed to have a release of info later this week.
Glenn, W4XR
Would be nice if Elecraft make the Front Panel match the amplifier body – In home it becomes a truly basestation radio with the panel attached. When going portable just take the radio with you and enjoy it portable. 73′s
Ok, it is time to sell my ft817nd an get prepared to buy the kx3.
Aniway i will wait a couple of months in order to see some product reviews @ eham.net
73!
hk3r
It looks as if the kx3 works the same way a k3 does. How close will the specs be. Kit or not to kit? It sounds like a great idea. When will we see them for sale? Sorry to say this,
but the days of the k1 and 2 seem short, with this babe on the way.
Sell my AN/PRC-104 and FT-857D, Elecraft here I come, this is a dream come true!
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What I see in the KX3 is an extremly Versatile rig!
I would use it portable
I would get the optional Amp and use it in my Truck
I would use it as a base station too.
May get two amps so I can leave one amp under the seat in my truck and one on my bae station.
73
Frank
nice info
If I would order one (not decided yet), I would take it to the car and place it at the dash board.
My first concern is if audio would be loud enough to listen pleasantly while driving. The audio stage might be low power, not powerful enough, and the built-in speaker is place in a way that would send sound down, unlike the speaker found in Kenwood TS480 that sends sound from the back that reflects very well on wind screen filling the from seat positions very well.
My use would be with the external amplifier in the trunk and my HiQ antenna. I cannot imagine working 80m band with just 10w and a mobile antenna, no matter how good the mobile antenna can be. I think that 100w is already too litlle for 80m mobile, no telling 160m mobile with 100w and a 1% efficient antenna, at best!
While parked I could connect my netbook running any SDR software and Ham Radio DeLuxe + DM780 for digital modes, but I don’t know if there is a USB connector in KX3 and I can run Virtual Audio Cable or a RS232 one, in which case I would need a RS323 to USB converter for my netbook. Of course I would need adding an external dedicated soundcard that will work well for SDR, if the USB radio control plus VAC software option, through the same USB connector is not supported. This is my 2nd concern.
On the other hand, I think that KX3 can be a very good aproach to SDR radios without the need of a PC, but must be a PC ready SDR radio, if this radio comes out to the market with regular firmware updates to fix all software bugs, but without any hardware bugs.
I would order almost all options: The external amplifier, but without the attachable antenna tuner now since HiQ antenna tunes all bands, the roofing filters option, the internal battery option, the internal case for regular AA batteries, the internal antenna tuner, and even the 500KHz to 1600KHz option.
With this configuration I could use the radio in the car and take it out of the car everywhere else, but with the batteries full loaded and just a good length of wire hanging from a tree (EZ-hang would be useful too) and some grounding system or any other counterpoise to work all bands easily.
I am afraid that we all must wait and see, but Elecraft is a well reputated brand and I am sure that this rig will be a good one, maybe from the first day or maybe after a year or two of developing work. Let’s hope that we can ask for a brand new KX3 for Xmas. We will find out soon.
73
José María, EA2JX
Hello,
Who knows where i can buy this Elecraft Tranxeiver KX3. let me know to my email anna@abtronics.com
Thank you!
Hi Anna,
The most reliable source of information about the Elecraft KX3 can be found on the Elecraft site at http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/kx3.htm.
It’s not due to be on sale until December this year and this deadline might slip. The best strategy would be to go to the visit the KX3 Infor Signup Form at http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/kx3signup.htm and add your email address. That way you’ll be sure not to miss the announcement.
73 de VK2RH
Went to a presentation last night on the KX3 by Lyle Johnson, KK7P, one of the designers at Elecraft. Here’s some interesting tidbits:
.
-Receiver performance would put the rig at 6th place on Sherwood’s receiver performance list (www.sherweng.com/table.html), which would be 94dB of dynamic range at 2kHz. This puts it between a TT Orion and Orion II in the table.
- They’re still trying to roll up the costs to determine the price, but *goal* for the kit version (only a screw driver required to assemble) is in the $700-$800 range.)
- Speaker audio seemed a little weak, he hooked up external speakers so we could hear clearly in a room filled with yakking hams
Has a cute “auto net” feature that tunes the rig’s freq on CW to match the offset to a received signal.
-Had a nice stereo mode for CW: sigs below your freq were on the left, above your freq on the right, and near your freq spread in front of you.
-Dual band audio speech compressor. Don’t ask me to explain it.
At this price, this could be a great choice for a home rig, especially for the “value-minded ham” (i.e. cheapskates like me
Very nice station!
Where in Sweden can I buy KX3???
73 de Bengt